Varanasi: In a bid to restore the lost glory of Varanasi, which is the oldest city of our country, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has now decided to initiate proceedings to legalise all the unauthorised colonies.
The historic city, which is also recognised as the “world city” across the globe lacks better infrastructure and other facilities mainly due to encroachments in several localities.
According to reports, there are as many as 17 unauthorised colonies and apartments in various localities of the city. Due to a growing nexus between the district officials, musclemen and land sharks, the city administration also lacks a determination to demolish these buildings.
However, the VDA has now decided to regularise such colonies.
VDA will initiate legal proceedings in such areas where it faces more protests from the occupants.
Although, VDA has initiated proceedings to legalise these colonies, it also shows its incompetence to get these unauthorised colonies vacated.
Most of these colonies have been built on the government property and in the heritage zone by the land mafias. Some of them have also been built in Green Belt.
However, the occupants of these colonies have a different story to narrate. They plead total ignorance about the legality of their respective colonies at the time when the plots were booked.
Since, a long time has passed the VDA has no option but to regularise them.
These colonies were constructed in clear violation of norms led by Supreme Court and the state government. The regularisation of these unauthorised colonies will only encourage the land mafias, who know how to take advantage of government’s shortcomings and existing loopholes.
First Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 16:18